LTTE Headquarters,
                                                Tamil Eelam.
                                                02. July 1997

PRESS RELEASE 
NEWS FROM TAMIL EELAM
                                           
	Please Note:
	
	Sri Lanka has barred journalists from north-east Tamil areas for
	the past two years.
	
YESTERDAY'S HUGE PROTEST DISPLAYED ANTI-GOVERNMENT FEELING
	The government's media ban kept the outside world from seeing
	yesterday's dramatic gathering of thousands of Tamil civilians
	protesting against the harsh conditions inflicted on them in the
	name of liberation. Thick columns of people converged on the
	UNHCR's Mannar premises linking up with the hundreds of displaced
	people already squatted there. A memorandum setting out people's
	desperation was handed to the UNHCR and will now be passed to the
	Sinhala president. The people call for a halt to economic
	blockades, an end to the Sinhala army's targeting of civilian
	property and a repeal of the army order that civilians in
	army-territory should go to the army camp to obtain food.
	
VANNI POPULATION UP IN ARMS - MORE PROTESTS LINED UP
	Further demonstrations are planned as the Tamil people of Vanni
	increasingly show their defiance of the Chandrika regime's cruel
	policies against them. A "human chain" will be made on Friday
	across the town of Puthukudiyiruppu in an urgent attempt to nudge
	the conscience of foreign governments and human rights
	organisations to help alleviate the deepening despair of the
	Tamil people. A similar 15-mile long "human chain" demonstration
	was held last year linking up the towns of Chavakachcheri and
	Point Pedro. Friday's protest is being organised by the
	Confederation of Peoples of Vanni.
	
SUB-STANDARD ALCOHOL CAUSES EARLY DEATHS IN JAFFNA
	The death rate in occupied Jaffna due to sub-standard alcohol
	consumption is climbing. With the despair prevalent among
	Jaffna's residents due to the Sinhala army occupation, the amount
	of drinkers has shot up and with it the area's mortality rate.
	The deaths have been mostly due to the extremely poor quality of
	the brew. During the LTTE administration illicit brews were
	strictly prohibited but under army rule such drinks are being
	encouraged and promoted, not least for their value in engendering
	a docile population. Pot arrack is being sold now in tea
	boutiques, markets and even in areas near temples and schools.
	
150 YOUNG TAMILS ROUNDED UP FOR INTERROGATION
	Over 150 young Tamils were paraded in an open field in front of
	Sinhala armed forces after a round-up and search operation in
	Mirusuvil north (Thenmaradchy, Jaffna). 300 troops participated
	in the round-up. Of those subsequently arrested, one man -
	Sathasivam Rethinam - has been identified as missing and feared
	murdered. While the operation was going on, troops shelled the
	grazing grounds and jungle areas of Mirusuvil. Cattle were killed
	in the attack.
	
MAN CARRYING COCONUTS SHOT DEAD BY ARMY
	A young man - Kumar - was shot dead by Sri Lankan armed forces
	occupying Kilinochchci when his bullock cart carrying coconuts
	was ambushed in Uruthirapuram. Another man, Pathmanathan, was
	badly injured. The fate of three others who were on the same cart
	is not yet known.
	
Political Committee,
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam

(English translation of the LTTE statement released by
LTTE International Secretariat, 211 Katherine Road,
London E6 1BU, United Kingdom.  Tel:0181- 503 4294)